by JB Heller
My brows drop as I search my fuzzy brain for what I must have done for him to add that last part about other men. But nothing comes to mind. “What’d I do?” I ask, half wanting to know, half wanting to bury my head in the sand.
“You tried giving me a handy under the table, wanted to take your dress off in the restaurant, spanked Atticus’s ass, and—”
I slap my hand over Bates’s mouth. “Okay, I don’t need to hear any more,” I tell him, mortification settling over me like a wet blanket.
His arms tighten around me, and he nuzzles my neck. “It’s okay, babe. Everyone has an embarrassing drunk story. Hell, I have many.”
That doesn’t make me feel better, but his cuddle does, so I snuggle in deeper. He runs a comforting hand up and down my upper arm as he holds me close. I could stay like this forever.
I’m woken by the ringing of my cell somewhere in the room. I sit up, noticing Bates isn’t in bed, so swing my legs over the side and stand. My head seems to have settled, thank the Lord. The ringing is abruptly cut off, and the sound of Bates’s voice travels from the bathroom.
“Yeah, she’s fine.” There’s a pause in conversation. “I gave her some aspirin earlier this morning. But she’s still sleeping it off.” Another pause. “Yeah, okay. I’ll wake her in a little bit, and we’ll meet you down there in an hour. Later,” he says then steps back into the room.
“Oh, you’re up. How’re you feelin’, babe?” he asks, closing the distance between us. When he reaches me, his arms encircle my waist, then he drops a kiss on my forehead.
My stomach flutters at the tenderness in his tone. I wrap my hands around his neck, tipping my face up, and smile brightly. “Much better now,” I murmur then push up onto my tiptoes and brush a tentative kiss against his lips.
“Oh, yeah?” he says, our mouths brushing over one another as he speaks.
Tingles erupt throughout my body as he tugs me in closer then rocks his pelvis into me. His hard length presses against my hip, causing a frisson of need to swell to life low in my belly. My lips part as our eyes lock. I want to finish what we started yesterday.
Every one of my nerve endings stir and tingle as they come to life. I take a small step back, sliding my palms over his shoulders, down his impressive biceps, then take his hands in mine. I walk backward, toward the bed, taking him with me.
His lips curl in a seductive smile, making my insides heat. The backs of my knees hit the mattress, and I pause, release his hands, then tug last night’s dress up and over my head, dropping it at my feet.
Bates’s gaze rakes over my body, hesitating at my chest. His brows knit, and he bends forward, closely inspecting my breasts. “Babe, what the fuck happened to your nipples?” he asks, his eyes flicking up to meet mine.
My hands shoot up, cupping my boobs. “Oh…” I grin then peel the flesh-toned nipple shields from my breasts and drop them on top of my dress. “They stop me from high-beaming and poking unsuspecting victims’ eyes out with my nips,” I explain.
His frown intensifies. “Why the fuck would you do that? I love seeing your nipples.”
A crimson blush stains my cheeks, and I glance away, drawing my lips into my mouth to stop from smiling.
He reaches for my chin, tipping it back to him. “I love everything about you, Tia,” he murmurs in a deep gravelly tone that I feel all the way to my toes.
I blink at him repeatedly. Is he saying what I think he’s saying? My throat thickens as I’m overwhelmed by emotion.
Bates strokes my cheek with such gentleness my heart skips a beat. “I love you, Tiana Riley, and I want you to be my wife for no other reason than that. I fucking love you, and I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it.” Then, he’s kissing me, and everything else fades into the background as his hands skate up into my hair as he angles my head then dips his tongue inside my mouth.
Butterflies explode in my belly, and my hands shake as I fist his shirt. “I love you too,” I say, breathing out as I pull back for air.
The smile he gives me is everything. “Thank fuck for that,” he states. “’Cause I’m not giving you up. Not for the world, princess. You’re mine now.”
Warmth spreads through my chest as his words fill my soul and his possessive gaze rakes over my face. His fingers flex in my hair, then he drops one to my chest and shoves me back onto the bed. I drop with a squeak, but before I can react further, my breath is knocked from my lungs by the sight of him tossing his clothes to the side.
I lick my lips, my eyes flitting over all his nakedness, settling on his eager erection. I crook a finger, urging him to join me, but he simply grins and shakes his head.
“Patience, princess,” he chuckles, stepping away from the bed as he strides to his bag to retrieve a box of condoms. He returns, tosses them on the mattress beside me, then places one knee on the bed as he bends over and begins tracing a path up my legs with his lips.
My body trembles and aches with need the closer he gets to my core. His teeth graze my hip bones, one after the other, then he peppers kisses across my pelvis as his palms grip my thighs, and he yanks them apart.
“So pretty,” he murmurs, a devious glint in his eyes as he dips his tongue between my folds, making my eyes roll back. “Fuck, you taste good, babe.” Then, he circles my clit with the tip of his tongue, and my back arches off the bed.
“Bates, please,” I beg, my hands diving into his hair as he sucks my clit into his warm mouth. I hear the crinkle of a foil package being torn open, and I lift my head to watch Bates sit up then slide a condom down his thick shaft. I whimper with need when he lifts his eyes to meet mine while stroking himself.
“Ready?” he murmurs, shifting closer on his bent knees.
I nod eagerly. “Yes, please. So ready.”
He grins and positions himself at my entrance, one hand on his length, the other squeezing my hip. A delicious burn engulfs my core as he enters me, my body stretching to accommodate him.
“Fuck, so tight, babe, so fucking tight. I knew your pussy would be perfect, just like you.” He groans, pressing into me inch by excruciating, glorious inch.
When he bottoms out, I lift my trembling legs until my thighs hug his sides and he slides a little deeper. His neck strains as he holds himself still, letting me adjust. “Fuck, fuck! I want to go slow, make love to you our first time, but you feel so good. Too fucking good. I need to own this pussy, pound into her until you’re clenching around my thick cock.”
“Yes,” I pant, his dirty words making me wetter, needier. “Don’t hold back. I’m yours.”
Heat flares in his gaze, then his mouth is crashing down on mine, and he draws his hips back then thrusts back inside me, over and over again. My body is ablaze, nerves firing, pleasure building. His fingers sink into my hair, holding me still as he pounds into me in a relentless rhythm. It’s too much. Too good. Too everything. And my entire body clenches.
I throw my head back, a keening moan tearing from my throat as wave after wave of ecstasy pulses through me.
“Good girl. Come on my cock, princess,” he encourages, never slowing his pace.
His praise sends a second round of shockwaves rolling through me, and I latch onto his biceps, digging my nails into his flesh as I whimper through my climax.
“So good. So fucking good,” Bates grunts. He slams into me one more time, every muscle in his body tensing as his length throbs inside of me with his release.
I’d much rather spend the day in bed, wrapped up in Tia, but I’m nearly one hundred percent sure Lennon and the others wouldn’t let that fly. Especially since most of them think we’ve been sleeping together for a while now.
So, instead of going for round two of the best sex I’ve ever had—who knew being emotionally invested made sex so much better—we shower and change into our swimsuits to meet everyone by the pool for a day of pampering and relaxation.
Tia’s in a sexy-as-fuck black one piece with cutouts in the sides, exposing her beautiful caramel skin, while I’m
sporting my favorite flamingo board shorts and a white tank. I throw my arm over her shoulders as we exit the elevator and make our way through the lobby to the pool bar where our friends are waiting for us.
The guys have commandeered the corner of the bar nearest the pool, while the girls are scattered between lounging in the shade and floating in the water.
“I’m going to go sit with Dani and Kinsley,” Tia says as she pulls away from me.
I tug her back into my arms for a quick kiss before releasing her and sending her off with a pat on the ass. She blushes furiously and dips her head to hide her face as she scurries away. I watch her go with a lightness in my chest that brings a smile to my face. She makes me so damn happy, and she doesn’t even have to try.
“Hey, Romeo!” Arch calls, and I lift my chin in acknowledgement. “What you drinkin’?”
It’s only just after ten in the morning, but I’m always up for a beverage. Especially since this is supposedly my bachelor’s weekend. “I’ll grab a beer,” I tell him as I approach.
Arlo drags a free stool closer to them for me and gives me a shit-eating grin as I sit. “How was the rest of your night?” he asks.
I punch the little bastard in the shoulder. “It was just fine. I got Tia back to our room without any further incidents, where she promptly passed out.”
“So, no pole-dancing strip tease for you, then?” He chuckles.
“Fuck off,” I grunt, only for Atticus and Archer to join Arlo laughing.
Dax cringes and shakes his head. “Ugh, that’s my sister, man.”
“Sorry, bro,” Arlo says as he tries to contain his amusement. “Hey, where’d you and Adley disappear to last night? Dani and I lost you guys within minutes of getting into the club.”
“I totally called it; you guys are boning!” I declare, happy to have the focus shifted from my love life to someone else’s.
Dax’s eyes widen theatrically, and he sputters, “W-what?”
Oh yeah, they’re totally banging. “Yep, I told Tia last night that I bet you two hate-fuck on the regular.”
His face reddens, and he drops his gaze to the beer he’s white knuckling. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, cabrón.”
A wicked grin flashes across Arlo’s face as he says, “Guess that’s why you didn’t go back to your room last night, huh?”
Dax’s head shoots up, pinning Arlo with a glare. “How would you know if I was in my room last night or not?”
Arlo shrugs, a devious glint in his eyes. “Because I was.”
Beer spews out of Atticus’s mouth. “What the hell were you doing in there?”
“What do you think I was doin’?” Arlo says, smirking.
Oh, my God. This is too good.
Dax pales, his already widened gaze growing wider. “You had sex with my sister?”
Arlo lifts his soda and takes a leisurely sip before saying, “A gentleman never tells.” Then, he pushes away from the bar, struts over to the water’s edge, tosses his shirt to the side, then dives into the massive kidney-shaped pool.
I sit back and take a long pull from my beer, loving that none of this drama has anything to do with me. If feels good to be watching it all unfold from the outside instead of being the center of it for once.
Another two beers later, and I’m feeling loose and happy. I leave the guys discussing politics and join my girl where she lies stretched out on a padded lounger. Taking a seat at the end, I take one of her feet in my hands and run my thumb up her instep.
A contented sigh leaves her lips, and she pushes up on her elbows. “Hey, you,” she murmurs.
“Hey yourself.” I shoot her a wink and continue massaging the sole of her foot for a few more minutes then switch to the other. Once I’ve given it as much attention as the first, I bend forward and press a whisper of a kiss to her collarbone. “Come for a swim with me?”
She shakes her head. “It’ll be too cold in there.”
“Come on, I’ll keep you warm. Promise,” I murmur, my lips brushing against her skin with each word.
Her gaze heats, and I give her an encouraging grin as I slide my hand down her arm and lace our fingers together. She chuckles as I tug her up, and she moves to stand within the circle of my arms, wrapping hers around my hips. “Fine,” she grumbles, trying to sound put out, but the smile on her face betrays her.
I drop my forehead to hers and breathe her in. We stand there like that, just enjoying each other’s closeness, for I don’t know how long. Eventually, I pull back, run my knuckles down her cheek, then drag her into the water with me.
A little later in the afternoon, we migrate to the hotel’s day spa where Tia and I are carted off for our couple’s massages. Kinsley, Dani, Len, and Adley head off to soak in a mud bath or some shit. It sounds gross, and I’m glad I don’t have to do it. And Atticus, Arlo, Dax, and Archer chill out in the sauna.
An hour later, my body feels like jelly, and I’m in desperate need of a siesta. “Babe, I think I’m going to head back to the room for a nap,” I tell Tia as we walk down a hallway back to the waiting lounge. We’re supposed to get mani-pedis, but I can barely keep my eyes open.
“Okay, I’ll meet you back there later,” she says, pushing up onto her tiptoes to brush a kiss over my lips.
I smile down at her beautiful face and brush an errant strand of hair back behind her ear. “Love you, babe,” I say before exiting the spa and heading straight for our room.
Every time he says those words, my heart flutters, and my thoughts scatter.
“Uh oh, she’s doing it again.” Dani’s voice penetrates my addled brain.
“Who’s doing what?” I ask, still a little dazed.
Dani frowns, and Adley eyes me before saying, “You. You’re off with the fairies or something, staring off into space with this dreamy, lovestruck look in your eyes.”
My cheeks flame. “Oh. Sorry,” I mumble.
“Don’t be sorry,” Kins says, placing a hand on my forearm. “Love is a multitude of contradictions. It’s exciting and scary and exhilarating and terrifying. I think you’re entitled to have moments of slack-jawed wonder.”
“Great explanation, honey,” Atticus tells his wife with a chuckle, brushing a kiss to her temple. “Now, the guys and I are going to head out and let you girls do your thing for a bit. Call me if you need me.”
She smiles up at him and nods, her gaze full of love and adoration. I imagine that’s how I look at Bates. Atticus gives her rounded belly a little rub then leaves with his son, my brother, and Archer.
A few minutes later, we’re all seated in massage chairs with attached foot spas, letting our feet soak while picking what colors each of us wants on our fingers and toes.
“What’s on the agenda for tonight?” I ask Lennon as I peruse a selection of blue tones, ranging from powder blue to a dark navy.
She selects a rich ruby red then hands the chart back to the woman assigned to her before turning to face me where I sit beside her. “We’re booked in at another one of the restaurants within the hotel. I thought we should have an early night since we need to be in the lobby by seven-thirty in the morning for the Canyon trip tomorrow.”
My smile is so wide I’m surprised my face doesn’t split in two. I am so freaking excited! I’ve always wanted to see the Grand Canyon, but I didn’t think it would happen for at least a few more years.
The rest of our afternoon flies by, and when I return to our room, I find Bates sprawled across the bed in his underwear. I tiptoe over, place my knee on the edge, draw my hand back, and wallop him on the butt.
I burst out laughing as he flips over, dragging me under his heavy body and pinning me beneath him. “What was that for?” he growls, playfully nipping at my chin.
“I couldn’t resist.” I chuckle. “It was right there. I had to.”
He narrows his eyes and drops his head to my breasts then sinks his teeth into my right boob. I squeal, trying to push his face away. His eyes lock on mine, and he grins. �
�What? It was right there. I had to.”
The next morning, our little group assembles in the lobby, but as I scan the faces, I notice two are missing. “Where’s Kinsley and your dad?” I ask Arlo, who is once again hanging out with my sister.
“Kins is tired, so they’re sitting this one out. I’m so glad I’m not a chick. Growing a human sounds exhausting,” he says then shudders, adding, “not to mention having to push it out.”
Archer and Bates nod their agreement, but Dax has a weirdly perplexed look on his face as he stares at his feet. I elbow my big brother in the ribs. “Hey, you okay?”
He jolts out of his stupor, swinging his gaze to me. “What? Yeah, I’m totally fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” he asks, running a hand through his hair then straightening his shirt.
I frown. He’s unusually jumpy this morning, but before I can question him further, Lennon speaks up. “We’re up, guys. Let’s roll.” She follows after a guy who I’m assuming is our tour operator, and we fall in line behind them.
Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at a private air strip, and my brows furrow in confusion. “What are we doing here?” I ask as we disembark from the minivan that picked us up from our hotel.
Bates squeezes my hand then brings it to his lips where he brushes a soft kiss to my knuckles. “Surprise,” he says. “We’re doing a helicopter tour. They’ll fly us over the canyon, Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead, and Hoover Dam. We’ll get dropped off on the western rim where we can do the Skywalk and shit. I thought this would be the best way for you to see as much of it as possible in the time we have.”
Warmth fills my chest, and my bottom lip wobbles. “Thank you,” I say, breathing out, then I throw myself at him, my arms going around his neck as I kiss him with everything I have.
He doesn’t miss a beat, digging his hands into my hips and holding me close. “I guess this means you like it?” he says, grinning down at me.
I beam at him and push up on my toes to kiss him again. “So much.”
